Percutaneous Transverse Connector System

ABSTRACT

A system and method for stabilizing a spine of an animal subject involving a transverse rod installation instrument assembly for inserting a transverse rod on the spine of a subject percutaneously comprising: a first rod clamp extender mounted on a ipsilateral rod clamp and a second rod clamp extender mounted on a contralateral rod clamp wherein the ipsilateral rod clamp and the contralateral rod clamp are secured to a vertebra at the ipsilateral and contralateral pedicle; and a pivoting installation instrument pivotably mounted to the first rod clamp extender and the second rod clamp extender to pass a transverse rod percutaneously through a head portion of the ipsilateral side rod clamp and to the head portion of the contralateral rod clamp after passing through a spinous process of the vertebra through pivot axis “A” such that the transverse rod is secured at the head portion of the ipsilateral rod clamp and the head portion of the contralateral rod clamp.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International ApplicationPCT/US14/63152, filed Oct. 30, 2014, entitled “Percutaneous TransverseConnector System”, which claims priority to and the benefit of thefiling of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/898,332, entitled“Percutaneous Transverse Connector System”, filed on Oct. 31, 2013, andthe specification and claims thereof are incorporated herein byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

The system and method of this invention relates to an implantable spinalfixation system for the surgical treatment of spinal disorders andapparatus for implantation.

Spinal column disorders such as scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis,spondylolisthesis, ruptured, broken, fractured or slipped discs aretreated with spinal fixation. Spinal fixation uses surgical implants orconstructs which mechanically immobilize the treated area of the spinewith the goal of causing the fusion of the treated vertebrae. One typeof spinal fixation utilizes a pair of longitudinal rods that runparallel or longitudinally along the spine and are affixed to pediclesof the appropriate vertebrae or to the sacrum and act as anchor pointsfor the longitudinal rods. Bone screws are generally placed two pervertebrae with one at each pedicle on either side of the spinous processof the vertebrae. Clamp assemblies join the spine rods to the screws.When a pair of transverse rod/connectors are fastended in parallel oneither side of the spinous process, the assembly can be significantlystrengthened. However, the instrumentation with transverse rodsdescribed requires open surgery and a large incision. In doing so, theskin and tissue surrounding the surgical site must be cut, removed andor repositioned in order for the surgeon to access the location wherethe stabilization device is to be installed. This type of invasivesurgery leads to risk of long recovery time, disruption of muscle,trauma damage and scarring to the tissue.

In recent years minimally invasive spinal (MIS) procedures have becomemore common. The advantages of MIS procedures compared with open surgeryare less pain, faster recovery, less intra-operative blood loss, andgenerally greater patient satisfaction. With the advent of innovativedevices and techniques, physicians now routinely perform MIS proceduresthat traditionally would require open surgery. One of the shortcomingsof MIS procedure/surgery is the inability to place a transverseconnector through a percutaneous route. Transverse connectors are usedduring spinal instrumentation procedures to add rigidity to the overallconstruct offered by longitudinal rods alone. Transverse rods addstability during axial rotation (twisting) and lateral bending (side toside bending) of the spine. During open procedures the placement oftransverse connectors are straight forward but require muscle dissectionas well as other downsides mentioned herein.

Minimally invasive surgery wherein a long incision through a musclegroup such as those along the spine to expose multiple levels ofvertebrae is not required. Minimally invasive surgery may be achievedwith percutaneous minimally invasive spinal procedures where minimal ifany muscle dissection is required. Currently minimally invasive surgeryis not available to insert transverse rods into the spine, for example,to add rigidity to an instrumentation construct consisting of pediclescrews and longitudinal rods involving multiple levels of vertebrae.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides a transverse rodinstallation instrument assembly for inserting a transverse rod on thespine of a subject percutaneously. A first rod clamp extender is mountedon an ipsilateral rod clamp and a second rod clamp extender is mountedon a contralateral rod clamp wherein the ipsilateral rod clamp and thecontralateral rod clamp are secured to a vertebra at the ipsilateral andcontralateral pedicle. A pivoting installation instrument is pivotablymounted to the first rod clamp extender and the second rod clampextender to pass a transverse rod percutaneously through a head portionof the ipsilateral side rod clamp and to the head portion of thecontralateral rod clamp after passing through a spinous process of thevertebra through pivot axis “A” path such that the transverse rod issecured at the head portion of the ipsilateral rod clamp and the headportion of the contralateral rod clamp. Further, the first rod clampextender has a cylinder with a pair of opposing arms that extendssuperior to the cylinder wherein at the bottom of the cylinder is adocking ring for engaging with the bolts on a pair of opposing wings ofthe ipsilateral rod clamp assembly when the cylinder of the first rodclamp extender is positioned over the pair of opposing wings. The pairof opposing arms on the first rod clamp extender includes a hole in eacharm of the pair wherein the hole in each arm of the pair of opposingarms aligns. The second rod clamp extender has a cylinder with a pair ofopposing arms that extends superior to the cylinder wherein at thebottom of the cylinder is a docking ring for engaging with the bolts ona pair of opposing wings of the contralateral rod clamp assembly whenthe cylinder of the second rod clamp extender is positioned over thepair of opposing wings. The docking ring has an internal grove forsecuring the bolt on the side of the wing of the rod clamp assembly whenthe rod clamp assembly is in use to stabilize the extender onto the rodclamp assembly. The pair of opposing arms on the second rod clampextender includes a hole in each arm of the pair wherein the hole ineach arm of the pair aligns. The first rod clamp extender and the secondrod clamp extender are secured together with a bolt that fits througheach hole in each arm of the pair of opposing arms of the first rodclamp extender and each hole in each arm of the pair of opposing arms ofthe second rod clamp extender such that the bolt passes first through anarm of a first rod clamp extender and then through an arm of the secondrod clamp extender before passing through the opposing arm of the firstrod clamp extender and then the opposing arm of the second rod clampextender. The pivoting installation instrument pivotably mounted to thefirst rod clamp extender and the second rod clamp extender is secured tothe first rod clamp extender and the second rod clamp extender via thebolt.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides for an orthopedicclamp system for use with a rod for immobilizing bone comprising a rodclamp assembly having a clamp with an upper surface and a lower surfaceand a rod receiving section positioned superior to the clamp the rodreceiving section having a pair of opposing wings that extend from therod receiving section. The clamp includes a tightening screw through itsupper surface for securing the clamp to a longitudinal rod immobilizedto the bone and a polyaxial head that is positioned between the rodreceiving section and the clamp. The polyaxial head allows for freedomof movement when positioning a transverse rod passer in the rodreceiving section. The rod receiving section is threaded to mate with aset screw to tighten a transverse rod positioned in the rod receivingsection. The pair of opposing wings include a bolt on an outer surfaceof the pair of opposing wings used to secure a docking ring of a rodclamp extender when the rod clamp extender is positioned over the pairof opposing wings. The pair of opposing wings create an open space alongthe length “L” of the rod clamp assembly which space permits atransverse rod receiving section to be observed from above. The wingsabove the rod receiving section are releaseably attached to the rodreceiving section.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides for a method forinserting a transverse spinal rod into a patient comprising attaching afirst rod clamp assembly onto a first longitudinal rod that is securedto a first vertebrae having a first side of a spinous process of thepatient wherein the first rod clamp assembly is introduced to thelongitudinal rod through a first minimally invasive incision on the backof the patient at the level of the first vertebrae. A second rod clampis attached to the assembly onto a second longitudinal rod that issecured to the first vertebrae on a second side of the spinous processof the patient wherein the second rod clamp assembly is introduced tothe longitudinal rod through a second minimally invasive incision on theback of the patient at the level of the first vertebrae. A first rodclamp extender is placed onto a pair of opposing wings of the first rodclamp assembly. A clamp of the first rod clamp assembly is secured tothe first longitudinal rod with a screw on the upper surface of theclamp of the first rod clamp assembly. A second rod clamp extender issecured onto a pair of opposing wing of the second rod clamp assembly. Aclamp of the second rod clamp assembly is secured to the secondlongitudinal rod with a screw on the upper surface of the clamp of thesecond rod clamp assembly. An extracorporeal portion of the first rodclamp extender is secured to an extracorporeal portion of the second rodclamp extender via a transverse rod passer pivotably mounted to thefirst rod clamp extender and the second rod clamp extender about a pivotaxis “A” whose pivot axis passes through the head of the first rod clampassembly, the spinous process, and the head of the second rod clampassembly. A transverse rod opening is created in the spinous process bypiercing the spinous process with an awl that is directed to the spinousprocess via the transverse rod passer as the transverse rod passer ismoved through pivot axis “A” path percutaneously. The transverse rodconnector is inserted into the head of the second rod clamp assemblyafter passing through the spinous process and through the head of thefirst rod clamp assembly via the transverse rod connector guiding thetransverse rod through pivot axis “A” path. The transverse rod issecured to the first rod clamp assembly.

Further still, the transverse rod is connected to a handle with aflexible section that is removable from the transverse rod for allowingthe transverse rod to be positioned in a guide tube of the transverserod passer. An awl for creating an opening in the spinous processincludes a handle having a flexible shaft and a sharp tip portion thatis inserted through the guide tube of the transverse rod passer. Thefirst rod clamp assembly and the second rod clamp assembly isdisconnected from the transverse rod passer. The screw on the uppersurface of the clamp of the first rod clamp assembly is tightened with ascrew driver inserted percutaneously. The pair of opposing wings of thefirst rod clamp assembly is detached from the head portion leaving thehead portion secured to the transverse rod.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be setforth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following,or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects andadvantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings in the attachment, which are incorporated intoand form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodimentsof the present invention and, together with the description, serve toexplain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for thepurpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of theinvention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1A-C is an illustration of a rod clamp and rod clamp assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention from differentview;

FIG. 2 is a stabilizing tower to slide over wings of a rod clampaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A-G illustrates a transverse rod passer system according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a transverse rod installment instrument assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a transverse rod passer assembly in association witha spinous process of a vertebra according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a transverse rod through the spinous process of avertebra in association with the transverse rod passer assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a transverse rod associated with rod clamps and bonystructure of a vertebra according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein “a” or “an” means one or more.

One aspect of one embedment of a present invention provides for a systemand method for placement of a transverse connector on the spine of ananimal subject (e.g. human) wherein minimal if any muscle dissection isrequired.

A set of innovative instruments and method of using the same that allowprecise placement of a transverse rod across the vertebrae to atransverse rod connector through a percutaneous route.

According to one embodiment of the present invention a method for spinalfusion of adjacent vertebral bodies is provided wherein an installationinstrument for guiding a transverse rod to connect with a rod clampthrough a minimally invasive incision is discussed. The method furtherprovides that the transverse rod is passed through the head of anipsilateral rod clamp and inserted through spinous process beforeconnecting with the head of a contralateral rod clamp.

An aspect of the present invention provides a transverse rodinstallation instrument for transcutaneous placement of a transverse rodwherein the installation instrument is mounted to rod clamp extensionswhose position is secured in an animal subject.

One aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is a minimallyinvasive method to stabilize bony structures.

One aspect provides for a method to connect two (2) or more rod clampswith a connecting element.

A method to attach a transverse rod inserter on an installationinstrument to the extensions and guiding the transverse rod into adesired position relative to the rod clamps.

A fixed geometric relationship to guide the transverse rod into aposition proximate to the rod clamps.

According to one embodiment of the present invention an installationinstrument is mounted to the rod clamp extension element in spatialrelation to the anchors about a pivot point. The instrument is rotatedabout the pivot point to guide the transverse rod to the desiredlocation.

According to another embodiment of the present invention an installationinstrument assembly is provided having an ispilateral rod clampextension designed to slide onto the wings of an ipsilateral rod clampand a contralateral rod clamp extension designed to slide onto the wingsof a contralateral rod clamp. The rod clamp extensions each have an armwith a hole at the end of the arm through which the two rod clampextensions are secured together. The installation instrument mounts tothe ipsilateral and contralateral rod clamp extension arms when the rodclamp extensions are mounted to rod clamps positioned on either side ofthe spinous process of a vertebra. In this position, the two arms willoverlap slightly when the rod clamp extensions are properly positionedon the rod clamps to allow the holes at the end of each arm to overlap.The installation assembly is held together with a fastener that passesthrough all four holes of the arms including the holes of the arms andthe holes at the attachment ends of the installation instrument whichsandwich the two holes of the arms to connect the installationinstrument assembly together. The rod clamps to which the rod clampextension are mounted are positioned on either side of spinous processand the rod clamps are secured to a pedicle of a vertebra structure withpedicle screws. The installation instrument is pivotable about a pivotaxis that is formed by a line that runs through the holes of the sidearms and holes of the attachment ends when assembled. The installationinstrument is moveable with respect to the rod clamps to position atransverse brace through the spinous process of the vertebra and securethe ends of the transverse rod to the head of the ipsilateral andcontralateral rod clamps.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A rod clamp assembly 100 having a pair ofopposing wings 104 that extend from clamp 101 includes a tighteningscrew 105 which locks the clamp 101 to the longitudinal rod 102 (notshown). There is a polyaxial head 109 which allows for freedom ofmovement when positioning the rod passer. Referring now to FIG. 1B, atightening screw 105 sits in the superior portion of the clamp 101 andacts to close down on the longitudinal rod on the medial side of the rodbut can secure the rod on the lateral side of the rod as well. As shownby the arrows at the wings, the poilyaxial head also allows forrotation. Bolts 111 are positioned on the side of the wings and are usedto secure the extenders (not shown) when the extenders are positionedover the wings. Referring now to FIG. 1C, the clamp 101 is secured to alongitudinal rod 102. The longitudinal rod 102 is secured to a bonystructure such as a vertebra with a pedicle screw inserted into apedicle of the vertebra. The longitudinal rod 102 is positioned in theclamp 101. Once pedicle screws and longitudinal rods are placed, a siteis identified on the rod clamp 100 where the transverse connector willbe connected, for example at head 107 of rod clamp assembly 100. Thehead 107 has threads and below the threads a transverse rod trough whichis located superior to the clamp 101. FIG. 1C is a side view of the rodclamp and wings. The wings 104 create a space 103 along the length “L”of the rod clamp as illustrated. A portion of the wind of the rod clampassembly is located extracorporeal. An empty portion at the head 107 ofrod clamp assembly is identified where the transverse connector will beattached and secured with set screws. The set screws are introducedthrough the distal opning of the rod clamp assembly.

Facial openings are made is the skin and muscle and a standard nasalspeculum is used to visualize the rod clamp 100 and longitudinal rod102.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a stabilizing tower 201 is placed on the wings104 of the rod clamp assembly 100 and passes down the rod clamp wings104. Opening 202 in stabilizing tower 201 is used to insert screw driverfor tightening screw 105 of FIG. 1B. Once the clamp is seated on thelongitudinal rod for example, the rod clamp sits as deep as possibleagainst the longitudinal rod. The tightening screw 105 on the rod clamp101 is tightened to prevent the rod clamp 101 from becoming disengagedfrom the longitudinal rod 102. In the case of a spinal fusion therewould be two rod clamps with a first rod clamp secured on a left pedicleof vertebra V and a second rod clamp secured on a right pedicle ofvertebra V as is shown in FIG. 5.

The stabilizing tower is removed from the rod clamp wings. Referring nowto FIG. 3A-3G, rod clamp extender/extension 303A having arm 301A with ahole 302A is placed over the wings of a rod clamp assembly 100. Rodclamp extender/extension cyclinder 303B having arm 301B with a hole 302Bis placed over the wings of a second rod clamp attached to a differentpart of the bony structure. Hole 302A is aligned with hole 302B having abolt that fits in hole 302A while hole 302A¹ is aligned with hole 302B¹having a bolt that fits in hole 302A¹ and also with attachment end 315of FIG. 3D and attachment end 313 of FIG. 3D of installation instrument307 of FIG. 3D such that rod clamp extension 303A, rod clamp extensioncyclinder 303B and installment instrument 307 can be secured together bynut 305 at the end of rod 304 of FIG. 3C as is illustrated for theassembly in FIG. 4. An awl 329 of FIG. 3E having a handle 317, aflexible shaft (for example a spring) 319 and a tip portion 321 isinserted through the guide tube 309 of instrument 307 as illustrated inFIG. 3D. The flexible shaft permits the shaft 319 of the awl to flexduring insertion in guide tube 309. FIG. 3B identifies the interior ofthe extender of either 303A or 303B. There is a docking ring 306 forlocking the extender onto the bolt 111 of wing 104 when the assembly isin use and the rod is passed through the spinous process. An internalgrove 310 secures the bolt 111 to stabilize the extender onto the wingof the rod clamp. FIG. 3F illustrate a transverse rod connected to ahandle with a flexible section. The handle and flexible section areremoveable from the transverse rod. The portion of 324 that is flexiblefor allowing the transverse rod to be positioned in guide tube 309. FIG.3G illustrates a cross sectional view 316 of the extenders in positionover the rod clamp wings. The groove 317 at the bottom of the extendersslide over the bolts 111. Once the extenders are securely seated, thedocking ring 306 locks the extender onto the rod clamp wings.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the installation instrument assembly 307attached to the arms of rod clamp extender is illustrated. The pivotAxis “P” about which the installation instrument pivots is illustrated.The arms 301A and 301B join and may be connected to attachment end 315and attachment end 313 with connector of FIG. 3C. Alternativeinstallment instrument 307 can be used with end 305 securing section 304in place.

A skin and facial incision is made for when the awl 329 enters the skinon the Ipsilateral side of the body and the guide tube 309 is advanceduntil the spinous process is encountered. Referring now to FIG. 5, withfirm pressure the awl 329 positioned in guide tube 309 is advancedthrough the spinous process along arc A on radius R. Visual confirmationthrough the contralateral rod clamp will confirm that the awl has passedthrough the spinous process. The guide tube 309 sits in the tranverserod trough of 107 which is superior to 101 but leaves adequate space atthe bottom for the awl 329 to pass through.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the guide tube 309 follows the same trajectoryas the awl is then swung out, the awl is removed and a permanenttransverse rod 324 of the appropriate length (confirmed on fluoroscopy)is inserted in the guide tube 309 of the traverse rod passer. The guidetube 309 of the transverse rod passer is again advanced through arc Aover radius R until the transverse rod 323 is appropriately seated inthe head portion 107 of the rod clamps 101. The installation instrumentis removed. The rod clamp extension is removed and wings 104 are brokenoff above section 107 leaving behind the transverse rod anchor 703located superior to the clamp 101 with the transverse rod and thelongitudinal rod in position secured to the bony structures of thepedicle and the spinous process.

Referring now to FIG. 7, transverse rod anchor 703 secured to thetransverse rod 323 via set screws (not shown) with clamp 101 secured tolongitudinal rod 102 with longitudinal rod 102 secured to the vertebraeby pedicle screws (not shown) is illustrated.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particularreference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achievethe same results. Variations and modifications of the present inventionwill be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. Theentire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, andpublications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference

What is claimed is:
 1. A transverse rod installation instrument assemblyfor inserting a transverse rod on the spine of a subject percutaneouslycomprising: a first rod clamp extender mounted on an ipsilateral rodclamp and a second rod clamp extender mounted on a contralateral rodclamp wherein the ipsilateral rod clamp and the contralateral rod clampare secured to a vertebra at the ipsilateral and contralateral pedicle;and a pivoting installation instrument pivotably mounted to the firstrod clamp extender and the second rod clamp extender to pass atransverse rod percutaneously through a head portion of the ipsilateralside rod clamp and to the head portion of the contralateral rod clampafter passing through a spinous process of the vertebra through pivotaxis “A” path such that the transverse rod is secured at the headportion of the ipsilateral rod clamp and the head portion of thecontralateral rod clamp.
 2. The transverse rod installation instrumentassembly of claim 1 wherein the first rod clamp extender has a cylinderwith a pair of opposing arms that extends superior to the cylinderwherein at the bottom of the cylinder is a docking ring for engagingwith a bolt on a pair of opposing wings of the ipsilateral rod clampassembly when the cylinder of the first rod clamp extender is positionedover the pair of opposing wings.
 3. The transverse rod installationinstrument assembly of claim 2 wherein the pair of opposing arms on thefirst rod clamp extender includes a hole in each arm of the pair whereinthe hole in each arm of the pair of opposing arms aligns.
 4. Thetransverse rod installation instrument assembly of claim 3 wherein thesecond rod clamp extender has a cylinder with a pair of opposing armsthat extends superior to the cylinder wherein at the bottom of thecylinder is a docking ring for engaging with the bolts on a pair ofopposing wings of the contralateral rod clamp assembly when the cylinderof the second rod clamp extender is positioned over the pair of opposingwings.
 5. The transverse rod installation instrument assembly of claim 4wherein the pair of opposing arms on the second rod clamp extenderincludes a hole in each arm of the pair wherein the hole in each arm ofthe pair aligns.
 6. The transverse rod installation instrument assemblyof claim 5 wherein the first rod clamp extender and the second rod clampextender are secured together with a bolt that fits through each hole ineach arm of the pair of opposing arms of the first rod clamp extenderand each hole in each arm of the pair of opposing arms of the second rodclamp extender such that the bolt passes first through an arm of a firstrod clamp extender and then through an arm of the second rod clampextender before passing through the opposing arm of the first rod clampextender and then the opposing arm of the second rod clamp extender. 7.The transverse rod installation instrument assembly of claim 6 whereinthe pivoting installation instrument pivotably mounted to the first rodclamp extender and the second rod clamp extender is secured to the firstrod clamp extender and the second rod clamp extender via the bolt. 8.The transverse rod installation instrument assembly of claim 2 whereininside the docking ring is a internal grove for securing the bolt on theside of the wing of the rod clamp assembly when the rod clamp assemblyis in use to stabilize the extender onto the rod clamp assembly.
 9. Anorthopedic clamp system for use with a rod for immobilizing bonecomprising: a rod clamp assembly having a clamp with an upper surfaceand a lower surface and a rod receiving section positioned superior tothe clamp the rod receiving section having a pair of opposing wings thatextend from the rod receiving section, the clamp including a tighteningscrew through its upper surface for securing the clamp to a longitudinalrod immobilized to the bone and a polyaxial head that is positionedbetween the rod receiving section and the clamp.
 10. The orthopedicclamp system of claim 9 wherein the polyaxial head allows for freedom ofmovement when positioning a transverse rod passer in the rod receivingsection.
 11. The orthopedic clamp system of claim 9 wherein the rodreceiving section is threaded to mate with a set screw to tighten atransverse rod positioned in the rod receiving section.
 12. Theorthopedic clamp system of claim 9 wherein the pair of opposing wingsinclude a bolt on an outer surface of the pair of opposing wings used tosecure a docking ring of a rod clamp extender when the rod clampextender is positioned over the pair of opposing wings.
 13. Theorthopedic clamp system of claim 9 wherein the pair of opposing wingscreate an open space along the length “L” of the rod clamp assemblywhich space permits a transverse rod receiving section to be observedfrom above.
 14. The orthopedic clamp system of claim 9 wherein the wingsabove the rod receiving section are releaseably attached to the rodreceiving section.
 15. A method for inserting a transverse spinal rodinto a patient comprising: attaching a first rod clamp assembly onto afirst longitudinal rod that is secured to a first vertebrae having afirst side of a spinous process of the patient wherein the first rodclamp assembly is introduced to the longitudinal rod through a firstminimally invasive incision on the back of the patient at the level ofthe first vertebrae; attaching a second rod clamp assembly onto a secondlongitudinal rod that is secured to the first vertebrae on a second sideof the spinous process of the patient wherein the second rod clampassembly is introduced to the longitudinal rod through a secondminimally invasive incision on the back of the patient at the level ofthe first vertebrae; placing a first rod clamp extender onto a pair ofopposing wings of the first rod clamp assembly; securing a clamp of thefirst rod clamp assembly to the first longitudinal rod with a screw onthe upper surface of the clamp of the first rod clamp assembly; placinga second rod clamp extender onto a pair of opposing wing of the secondrod clamp assembly; securing a clamp of the second rod clamp assembly tothe second longitudinal rod with a screw on the upper surface of theclamp of the second rod clamp assembly; securing an extracorporealportion of the first rod clamp extender and an extracorporeal portion ofthe second rod clamp extender together via a transverse rod passerpivotably mounted to the first rod clamp extender and the second rodclamp extender about a pivot axis “A” whose pivot axis path passesthrough the head of the first rod clamp assembly, the spinous process,and the head of the second rod clamp assembly; creating a transverse rodopening in the spinous process by piercing the spinous process with anawl that is directed to the spinous process via the transverse rodpasser as the transverse rod passer is moved through pivot axis “A” pathpercutaneously; inserting the transverse rod connector into the head ofthe second rod clamp assembly after passing through the spinous processand through the head of the first rod clamp assembly via the transverserod connector guiding the transverse rod through pivot axis “A” path;and securing the transverse rod to the first rod clamp assembly.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 wherein the transverse rod is connected to a handlewith a flexible section that is removable from the transverse rod forallowing the transverse rod to be positioned in a guide tube of thetransverse rod passer.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the awlincludes a handle having a flexible shaft and a sharp tip portion thatis inserted through the guide tube of the transverse rod passer.
 18. Themethod of claim 15 wherein the screw on the upper surface of the clampof the first rod clamp assembly is tightened with a screw driverinserted through the rod clamp assembly.
 19. The method of claim 15further comprising disconnecting from the first rod clamp assembly andthe second rod clamp assembly the transverse rod passer.
 20. The methodof claim 15 further comprising detaching the pair of opposing wings ofthe first rod clamp assembly from the head portion leaving the headportion secured to the transverse rod.